Clustering of oral and general health risk behaviors among adolescents

Since the co-occurrence of several health-risk behaviors is associated with an increase in chronic diseases, the study of clustering is relevant. The aim of this study was to evaluate how seven types of general and oral health-risk behaviors, cluster among adolescents. A cross-sectional analysis was performed with a sample of high school students from state public schools in São Lourenco da Mata, State of Pernambuco, Brazil (n = 1154). Data were obtained using a self-reported questionnaire. To identify cluster solutions of seven general and oral health-risk behaviors, Hierarchical Agglomerative Cluster Analysis (HACA) was performed. Most of the adolescents participating in the study was female (54.3%) and aged <16 years old (77.1%). HACA indicated two broad stable clusters for the seven health-risk types of behaviors. The first cluster included following behaviors: smoking, drinking and less frequent tooth brushing. The second cluster reveals the combination of high bread, pasta and snack intake; high intake of sweets; high intake of soft drinks; low intake of fruits and vegetables. Results provided by HACA identified two groups of health-risk behaviors. The first cluster mainly shows risk (problematic) behaviors, whereas the second cluster denotes the non-adhesion of preventive behavior (non-healthy diet). Health-compromising behaviors are common among teens and occur in distinct clusters. These findings could be used by schools, health promotion authorities and other stakeholders to design and implement tailored preventive interventions in Pernambuco, Brazil. Therefore, clustering of several types of behavior has important implications for a comprehensive strategy in health promotion policies and practices.